Hiker is saved in daring rescue after being trapped under five-ton boulder for seven hours on California cliffside
- An unnamed hiker was trapped beneath a five-ton bolder in the Inyo Mountains
- Using a system of ropes and pulleys, a team from Inyo County Search and Rescue were able to free him
- The hiker was then hoisted by a medic rappelling from a helicopter and taken to the hospital
A California hiker pinned down by a five-ton boulder has been saved from ‘chilly December darkness’ during a daring seven-hour rescue mission.
The hiker became trapped beneath a boulder last Tuesday in the Inyo Mountains below Santa Rita Flat near Independence, according to Inyo County Search and Rescue.
A nine person rescue team arrived at the scene after dark and said they found the hiker – who has not been identified – ‘in great pain with his left leg pinned beneath a large boulder on a steep hillside.’
Two rescuers were inserted by a California Highway patrol Central Division Air Operations helicopter and seven other team members followed in vehicles navigating a network for four-wheel drive roads.
‘Using a system of ropes, pulleys, and leverage, the SAR team was able to shift the boulder enough to free the hiker, and assess and stabilize his injuries,’ officials said.
A California hiker was air lifted to safety following a seven hour rescue mission on December 5
The hiker was trapped under a five-ton boulder in the Inyo Mountains below Santa Rita Flat near Independence
‘Due to the seriousness of the hiker’s injuries and the difficulty of the terrain, it was decided to extricate the hiker despite the darkness using a helicopter from US Naval Air Station Lemoore.’
Officials said there was no suitable helicopter landing zones near the location, so a US Navy medic rappelled from the helicopter and hoisted the hiker up.
The injured hiker was flown to Fresno for treatment and there has not been an update on his status.
Inyo County Search and Rescue estimated the boulder weighed between 6,000 to 10,000 pounds.
Rescuers said there were several challenges they faced during the mission including a steep scene, rocky terrain and limited resources to move the boulder during a cold night.
A group of volunteers from Inyo County Search and Rescue used a system of ropes, pulleys, and leverage to free the hiker
Inyo County Search and Rescue said, ‘Challenges encountered on this mission included coordination of multiple agencies and resources; accessing an accident scene in steep, loose rocky terrain; using limited resources to move a large boulder; managing a severely injured patient for several hours while awaiting the helicopter extrication; assisting in a nighttime helicopter hoist; all in chilly December darkness.’
The rescuers coordinated with Naval Air Station Lemoore, California Highway Patrol Inland Division Air Operations, Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department, Independence Fire Department and CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit.
Inyo County Search and Rescue is a non-profit group of unpaid professional volunteers who provide search and rescue services to all reaches of Inyo County.
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